Cindy Lynn Townsend

Education/ Credentials

• B.Mus. (Vocal Performance) Mount Allison University
• B.Ed. Mount Allison University
• Artist Diploma (Vocal Performance) University of Toronto
• Opera Diploma (Vocal Performance) University of Toronto
• Various Acting Classes/Workshops Toronto

Soprano & Teaching Artist

Cindy Townsend is thrilled to have returned her to Atlantic roots. Originally from Saint John, New Brunswick, she spent most of her career based in Toronto.

Cindy’s artistic versatility has been widely recognized as a strong asset to her positive pedagogical approach. With her students, she establishes the foundations of strong vocal technique, artistic style, and overall skill as a musician. She inspires and encourages her students to pursue their vocal goals in whatever genre best suits their personal expression. Many of her students have gone on to forge successful careers as professional artists themselves, appearing with various ensembles including the Canadian Opera Company, Atelier lyrique, and Opera de Montréal, the Stratford & Shaw festivals, and several Mirvish productions and touring music theatre companies. Cindy has worked with various pop bands and continues to work with individual pop recording artists.

Cindy’s musical studies began at Mount Allison University, which was followed by advanced work in Voice and Opera at the University of Toronto. During her time there, she collaborated with many Canadian music icons, including her teacher, mentor, and eventual friend, the late Lois Marshall, whom she first met during her undergrad years as featured artist at Scotia Festival of Music in Halifax. This lifelong friendship inspired and empowered Cindy’s noted international career, which includes many years of performance in Canada and Europe in numerous opera and music theatre roles, as well as concert work in oratorio and song. 

Aside from her work as a singer and teaching artist, Cindy is the founder of Complex Cares! Kids Helping Kids!, a fundraising initiative which brings together professional and student artists from multiple genres for an annual event in support of the Complex Care Clinic at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. These events not only offer wonderful musical experiences to countless children and their families but raise much needed funds to help establish satellite clinics using the Complex Care Clinic as their model. The spirit of giving back to the community through music is one of Cindy’s core beliefs and this passion project is but one of many to which she continues to devote her time and energy.

Cindy joined the DalVoice team at the Fountain School of the Performing Arts, Dalhousie University in 2021. At Dal, she is a full-time vocal Instructor, administrator for DalVoice, and music director for DalOpera. She remains in high demand as an adjudicator, RCM examiner, teacher, and mentor.

Teaching

• Private Studio Teaching
• Applied & Classroom Teaching (Dalhousie University)
• Classroom Teaching (University of Toronto)
• Adjudicating (Numerous Music Festivals, ORMTA, NATS, RCM)